What Is Oral Cancer

Overview

Oral cancer, commonly referred to as mouth cancer, is when a tumour appears in the oral cavity. This might include the roof of the mouth (palate), the inside of the cheeks, the lips, or the gums could all be affected.

Moreover, tonsils in the back of the mouth, salivary glands, and the portion of the throat that connects the windpipe to the mouth can all develop tumours (pharynx). They, though, are less typical.

Mouth cancer is considered a rare form of cancer. Most occurrences of oral cancer first appear in elderly people between the ages of 50 and 74.

In the United States, oral cancer accounts for about 53000 new cases per year or about 3% of all cancer diagnoses.

More than twice as many men as women are affected by oral cancer, which most frequently affects adults over the age of 40. The majority of oral malignancies are linked to tobacco use, alcohol consumption (or both), or human papillomavirus infection (HPV).

Stages of oral cancer

The stages of mouth cancer merely state how far along or advanced the cancer is. Your doctor can better describe the scope of the disease to you if you know the stage of your mouth cancer. Also, it aids them in deciding how to proceed with various forms of treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.

a stage of your oral cancer can be stated based on your physical examination and the preliminary findings of your imaging or oral tissue biopsy. If you undergo additional testing or have surgery, the stage can be changed. Mouth cancer has five stages, from zero to four, with four being the most advanced. I, II, III, and IV are Roman numerals that stand in for each one of the stages.

The early stages of mouth (oral) cancer are as follows:

Mouth cancer in stage 0

Carcinoma in situ, often known as stage 0, is the lowest point on the scale. It depicts aberrant cells that have the potential to develop into cancer in the lining of the mouth or lips.

Early stage oral cancer

Cancer is said to be at its very early stages at stage I. The disease has not spread to the lymph nodes, and the tumour is no more than 2 millimetres.

Second stage oral cancer

A tumour that is stage II has a diameter of at least 2 centimetres but not more than 4 cm. The lymph nodes have not been affected by stage II malignancy.

Third stage oral cancer

Stage III mouth cancer is defined as either being larger than 4 cm in size or having progressed to a neck lymph node.

Mouth cancer in stage IV

The most advanced stage of oral cancer is stage IV. It could be of any size, but it has already spread to: tissue close by, such as the jaw or other areas of the oral cavity.

Several lymph nodes of any size on the same side of the neck as the tumour, one large lymph node (more than 3 centimetres in size), or one lymph node of any size on the side of the neck opposite the tumour, and the lungs, which are located in the body's distant regions beyond the mouth.

When mouth cancer is initially discovered, it may be in stage IV. Recurrent oral cancer can potentially be at stage IV (cancer that has come back after treatment). Regional recurrence refers to cancer returning to the area of the body where it first appeared. Regional relapse refers to cancer returning to the lymph nodes or to another area of the body (called distant recurrence).

Cancers in stages III and IV are more likely to recur than tumours in the early stages.

Causes of oral cancer

Use of tobacco products, particularly cigarette smoking, increases your risk of acquiring mouth cancer. The risk is further increased by heavy drinking. The risk is increased significantly more when alcohol and tobacco are used together.

Oral malignancies have been associated with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), more notably the HPV 16 type.

Age: Danger rises as you get older. Over 40s-year-olds are most frequently affected by oral cancer.

Sun exposure: Sun exposure can lead to lip cancer.

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer

See a dentist or a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms for longer than two weeks. a lumpy, painful, irritated area, thick patch, or sore throat. your mouth developing a white or red spot. A throat ache or the sensation that something is in your throat. difficulty swallowing, speaking, or chewing. Have trouble moving your tongue or jaw. Swelling of the jaw that makes dentures unpleasant or ill-fitting. Numbness on your tongue or in other oral regions. ears hurt.

Management and treatment for oral cancer

Early-stage oral cancer is treated with surgery or radiation therapy. When oral cancer is identified, it may require a combination of treatments due to its advanced stage.

For instance, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are frequently administered concurrently. Another option for treatment is targeted therapy, a more recent form of cancer care that uses medicines or other chemicals to precisely locate and eliminate cancer cells. The sort of treatment you receive will depend on your general health, the location of the tumour in your mouth or throat, its size and type, and whether the disease has spread.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, head and neck surgeons, otolaryngologists, dentists who specialise in surgery of the mouth, face, and jaw, and cancer specialists are among the healthcare providers who treat oral cancer (medical and radiation oncologists).

Dentists, plastic surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, speech therapists, oncology nurses, registered dietitians, and mental health counsellors are among more medical specialists who could be a part of a therapy team.

Diagnosis of oral cancer

Early identification of oral cancer is crucial due to its rapid spread. Early indications of cancer can be found with an oral cancer examination. It only takes a few minutes and the exam is painless. The test is frequently done by dentists as part of routine dental examinations.

Your dentist or dental hygienist will examine your face, neck, lips, and entire mouth for any potentially cancerous lesions.

Risks factors of oral cancer

Speaking and swallowing issues might arise with surgery as well as radiotherapy (dysphagia).

Dysphagia has the potential to be a significant issue. Aspiration pneumonia, or a chest infection, can be brought on by food particles getting stuck in your lungs and airways.

FAQs

How can I prevent oral cancer

The greatest approach to reduce your chance of developing these cancers is to avoid smoking or using oral tobacco products. Even after several years of use, quitting tobacco significantly reduces your risk of acquiring certain malignancies. Even alone, heavy drinking poses a risk. Moreover, it significantly strengthens tobacco's ability to cause cancer. So, it's crucial to refrain from combining alcohol and smoking as well as smoking and drinking.

How common is oral cancer

About 53,000 new cases of oral cancer, or 3% of all malignancies diagnosed each year in the United States, are oral cancer. More than twice as many men as women are affected by oral cancer, which most frequently affects adults over the age of 40.

When should I see a doctor

A general practitioner or dentist will do a physical examination and inquire about your symptoms if you exhibit oral cancer symptoms.

A 50% to 90% increase in survival chances can be achieved with early identification. For this reason, if any symptoms do not go away after three weeks, you should consult your dentist or physician.

Summary

Oral cancer is a rare form of cancer that affects the roof of the mouth, inside of the cheeks, lips, gums, tonsils, salivary glands, and the portion of the throat that connects the windpipe to the mouth. It has five stages, from zero to four, with four being the most advanced. 

Mouth cancer is the most advanced stage of the disease, and is more likely to recur than tumours in early stages. Smoking, heavy drinking, HPV, age, and sun exposure all increase the risk of acquiring mouth cancer. Symptoms of mouth cancer include a lumpy, painful, irritated area, thick patch, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, speaking, chewing, difficulty moving the tongue or jaw, swelling of the jaw that makes dentures unpleasant or ill-fitting, numbness on the tongue or in other oral regions, and ears hurt. Early-stage oral cancer is treated with surgery or radiation therapy. Advanced cases may require a combination of treatments due to its classified stage, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Targeted therapy is a more recent form of cancer care that uses medicines or other chemicals to locate and eliminate cancer cells. An oral cancer examination is done by dentists as part of routine dental examinations. Dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia can be caused by food particles getting stuck in the lungs and airways.